Vacuum Maker Oreck Files for Bankruptcy

Vacuum-cleaner maker Oreck Corp. filed for bankruptcy-court protection to begin a sale process that could put the 621-worker company back in the hands of founder David Oreck and his family.

Executives who put Oreck under Chapter 11 protection on Monday blamed the company's financial hardship on increased competition. They also cited a push to sell vacuum cleaners and other products in its 96 retail stores rather than directly to...